BUTT OUT - KICKING YOUR SMOKING HABIT - by Shannon Sexton
Did you know that smoking is No. 1 preventable cause of death in U.S.? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 deaths in this country is tobacco related.Statistics show that tobacco kills more Americans than AIDS, drigs, homicides, fire and auto accidents combined and it causes more health problems and early deaths than all illegal drugs.
About 46 Million Wmericans - nearly 25 percent of the population - smoke and even though 70 % would like to quit, only about 5% actually succeed each year.
DOSE REDUCTION.Although a short-term smoker can probably quit cold turkey, cronic smokers should wean themselves gradually.Otherwise, a 'stressful withdrawal syndrome' can occur.
Ayurveda DR.LAD'S ADVISE: In the first 3-6 months, reduce to the number of cigarettes you smoke per day to a 50%.In the next 6 months, slowly reduce the number of sigarettes you smoke to non.
HERBAL CIGARETTES.This smoke mix, DHUMAN, will satisfy your desire to smoke, says DR.LAD, 'while slowly neutralizing the addictive aspects of nicotine so that the body starts detoxifying gradually.'
Ayurveda DR.LAD'S ADVISE: Remove one-half of the tobacco from your cigarette(at the end of the light), and fill the paper with an equa; propotion of the following ingredients: whole rose petals, whole chamomile flowers, calamus root (or ajwain seeds, if calamus is not available),brahmi powder, and jatamamsi powder.Smoke the cigarette until the moment the tobacco starts burning, then snuff it out.
NASYA.Thats the nasal administration of the herbal oils, ghee, or fine powders for medicinal purposes.Ancient ayurvedic texts say that doing nasya with brahmi ghee helps to eliminate depression-one of the main reasons that people smoke.
Ayurveda DR.LAD'S ADVISE:try this at home version of nasya:after washing and drying your hands, dip your little finger into a container of brahmi ghee.Lightly massage the liquid into the inside of each nostril, then sniff to gently inhale the ghee upwards. (you can alsi do nasya with plain ghee).
DE-STRESS WITH YOGA AND EXERCISE
"people who smoke are under stress," sais DR.Lad."and what is stress? Stress is unsolved emotion. Smokers have some deep-seated greaf, sadness, frustration, enxiety, or lonliness, but they dont want to look at it.Instead, they start smoking."
DR.LAD'S ADVISE:Whenever you feel the desire to smoke, take a walk in the fresh air, go swimming, or do another form of aerobic exercise.Incorporate sun salutations, alternate nostril breathing and so bring meditation into yoyr health regiment. " Exercise and yoga practise - especially pranayama - minimise stress," he says.
SMOKING MEDITATION
DR.LAD'S ADVISE:Look at the cigarette box. Bring it to your nose and smell it. Look at the row of cigarettes. Pull a cigarette out and tap it against the pack, listening to the sound it makes.Than smell your cigarette.Place it between your lips and toy with your lighter,Flicking it on and off several times before lighting the cigarette. Ask yourself, "What makes me smoke?" (Dr.Lad predicts that no answer will come.) Finally, he says, light the cigarette and "take a long, lovely puff. Suddenly you will realize how stupid it is to smoke!"
